KS4 COURSE OVERVIEW

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: MR OLDROYD

A.Q.A. CO-ORDINATED SCIENCE SYLLABUS (DOUBLE AWARD) & SEPARATE SCIENCES

Science is one of the National Curriculum core subjects and so it is taken by all students at Key Stage 4. It is an important subject that teaches knowledge and skills relevant to everyday life and to many careers.

Subject Content

The courses we offer for GCSE are Co-ordinated Science (Double Award) and separate Sciences (triple award). Co-ordinated Science is taught in three separate parts: Biology, Chemistry and Physics, usually by three different teachers. It leads to TWO grades at GCSE. Separate Sciences are taught in the same way, but because extra work is covered, it leads to THREE grades at GCSE.

Scheme of Assessment

Examinations - Students sit examinations in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. There are two levels: Foundation and Higher. It is possible to be awarded grades G to C from the Foundation level and grades D to A* from the Higher level.

Coursework - the coursework gives 20% of the final mark and is assessed through practical exercises done during the two years of the course. We give students several chances to score their best mark which will count in each of 4 skill areas. These areas are: Planning, Obtaining evidence, Analysing evidence and Evaluating evidence.

Separate Sciences (triple award) are taken by the top sets only. This is because the extra work demands a more rapid pace of class work and more independent study out of class.

Progression and Careers

After following either GCSE course it is possible to take A-levels in the separate Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics and many students choose to do this. The Applied A-Level in Health & Social Care also follows on naturally from GCSE Science.

There are numerous careers that ask for qualifications in Science. These include careers in the Health Service, farming, the food and drink industry and engineering.